Truckee songwriter releases new Christmas song

Related Media

TRUCKEE, Calif. - Last Christmas local songwriter Gordon Simons and partner Lane Cameron released "Christmas is for Kids" and the lighthearted song was heard on radio and TV across the country. It was also performed in various venues throughout Northern California and Nevada, and was the subject of an ABC television news story. KOLO Channel 8, Reno, Nev. interviewed the songwriting duo in their Reno recording studio and aired the segment during the evening news.This holiday season Simons & Cameron has a brand new release entitled "We All Love Santa's Reindeer." Like "Christmas is for Kids," the traditional sounding, original song features veteran saxophone sensation Billy Slais (Billy performed with Jefferson Starship, Elvin Bishop and Cold Blood). Slais tours the country with former Jefferson Starship guitarist, Craig Chaquico, when he's not recording with Simons & Cameron. "Billy is one of the best sax players in the world," said Simons.Also featured on "We All Love Santa's Reindeer" is Broadway singer and local entertainer Gary Douglas. His vocal performances on both songs are getting rave reviews from coast-to-coast. Douglas, who lives in Reno, has been singing with Gordon and Lane for years. Douglas' own band performs throughout California and Nevada. The fantastic crooner is also available for private engagements, visit www.GaryDouglas.net.Simons is proud to work with such talent and is always in awe when the players "do their thing" in the studio. The 20-year Truckee resident is especially honored to be in partnership with versatile musician Lane Cameron. "Lane can do it all - he is a master at piano, guitar, bass ... everything," said Simons. "He engineers all of our songs in his studio ... he's incredible." Originally from Mississippi, Cameron attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music. He played harmonica on one of Micky Thomas' new singles and guitar on Craig Chaquico's smooth jazz CD. For years, Lane toured the country with his band "Cameron" but now spends most of his time running his Lane Cameron Music Services, based in Reno. His full-service digital recording studio is available to singers and musicians who are looking for a professional sound recording. Visit www.lanecameron.com.The partners started Lane Gordon Music Company in 2002 and specialize in Christmas and Halloween songs. Two of their Halloween songs, "Monster Halloween Party" and "Monster Halloween Rap" have appeared on America's No. 1 soap opera "The Young and the Restless." The pair also create patriotic anthems, children's music, advertising jingles and comedy songs."We love to make people laugh with our crazy songs," Simons explained. He is no stranger to comedy. Before moving to Truckee and meeting Cameron, the Long Beach, Calif. native worked in radio in Los Angeles where he wrote humorous promos and novelty songs. Gordon's "Lucky Butt Song" won first prize in the Mark & Brian Radio Humor Contest. The number one morning show in the country also used the song in their regular programming.Gordon studied radio and television at UCLA where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa. When he moved from Los Angeles to Truckee, he hooked up with Lane to form Simons & Cameron. The recording group's songs have been heard around the world. In addition to "The Young and the Restless," their music has been The Dr. Demento Show, The Fireside Christmas Show and the Eclectic Max Radio Hour. The group has done numerous radio and television interviews including CBS's Jim Taylor in New York and Hoss the Boss out of Dallas, Texas.Simons & Cameron began making Christmas songs when they first joined forces more than a decade ago. The group's first CD, "Peace on Earth," featured then 12-year-old Rachel Eamigh (pronounced "Amy") on vocals and Truckee musician Paul Covarelli on banjo. Bill Manders, KOH 780 DJ, spotlighted several songs on his radio show, including "Toys Are Better Than Boys" and "Cut The Fat, Santa.""In 'Cut the Fat, Santa' kids try to convince Santa to stop eating so much," joked Simons. "After all, if he keels over, who will deliver the toys?"Gordon and Lane also wrote a comedy screenplay: "A Very Scary Merry Christmas" which includes songs such as "Do You Fear What I Fear," "Violent Night" and "Dead Cowboys Love Christmas Too." The title track, "A Very Scary Merry Christmas," has played on stations around the world including Truckee's own KTKE 101.5 and Reno's KOZZ 105.7. The song was a regular on Dr. Demento's holiday shows."We All Love Santa's Reindeer," released in November, tells the listener "what the flying herbivores are doing when they aren't pulling the fat man's sleigh." Most are doing good things ... Rudolph wrote a Christmas song and Donner threw a party, for instance. Others not so good: Blitzen gets blitzed and Comet ends up on a Tennessee hunter's wall." It's all in fun. Like "Christmas is for Kids," which also includes Gary and Billy, "We All Love Santa's Reindeer" has a traditional Sinatra-like feel, and the band hopes to get both songs into mainstream holiday playlists every Christmas.The group is also marketing the songs to radio and television outlets, and to recording artists such as Tony Bennett and Michael Buble. People can hear both songs at www.ChristmasForKidsSong.com. Also check out other great Simons & Cameron Christmas songs at www.ThisChristmasMorning.com.The group's holiday songs are now being played on such stations as Hot Mix 106 and Women of Substance Radio. You can find all Simons & Cameron songs on iTunes and Amazon.com.Truckee songwriter, Gordon Simons, hopes people will make Simons & Cameron holiday songs part of their Christmas this year, and wishes everyone a safe and Merry Christmas.